DECA Small Business Opportunity Summit

Description

4th Annual DECA Small Business Opportunity Summit!

Join us for the 2026 DECA Small Business Opportunity Summit, a high-impact event designed to bridge the gap between your business and the stakeholders shaping Central Texas’s economic future. This is your premier opportunity to engage directly with major regional leaders, ask critical questions, and build lasting professional connections.

Start the day with an inspiring keynote from Jayzen Patria, dive into educational sessions led by industry experts, connect directly with procurement partners during interactive roundtables, and wrap up with networking alongside Austin’s diverse business community.

Featuring keynote speaker Jayzen Patria, an internationally recognized personal branding expert, executive leadership strategist, and former NBCUniversal executive, presenting his signature keynote, Lead With Your Brand!™.

See a preview of each session below:

Session 1: Real Talk on the Economy - A Conversation with the Fed: Explore the economic headwinds and tailwinds directly impacting small businesses, from shifting interest rates and tightening credit markets, to the influence of federal policy changes, supply chain pressures, and the rapid integration of AI into everyday business operations. This conversation would give attendees real, actionable intelligence on what to monitor and how to prepare, the kind of forward-looking perspective that small business owners rarely get access to.

Session 2: AI for Business with Grow with Google: Heard the buzz about AI, but wondering what it actually means for your business? This presentation cuts through the noise. By exploring practical applications and real-life examples from business owners, you’ll leave with a personalized plan for your business. You will learn all about Google AI tools and discover how to use them strategically to tackle common business challenges.

Session 3: Access Granted! Central Texas Infrastructure Procurement Roundtable: As Central Texas enjoys historic infrastructure buildout, this session allows small business attendees direct access to the experts and organizations who oversee a critical procurement pipeline. Through three, intentional rotating 20-minute roundtable mini-sessions, attendees will get direct, unscripted access to procurement leaders from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), CapMetro, TxDOT, and the Austin Convention Center to ask their most pressing questions about contracts, certifications and the historic, upcoming opportunities. With billions of dollars in infrastructure investment on the horizon, this is your chance to skip the guesswork and turn access into opportunity!

The Summit also features a Resource Fair with refreshments, booths, and time to network with vital providers to help you scale your business.

Tickets are $50 with member discounts! 

The Summit includes:

• Breakfast
• Free Parking
• Featured Sessions
• Small Business Resources Fair
• Business Development Support Services
• Networking Opportunities
• Raffle Prizes
• ...and more!

DECA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is comprised of the Austin LGBT, Greater Austin Asian, Greater Austin Black, and Greater Austin Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

RSVP HERE

Sponsorship Opportunities

Become a sponsor today! If you would like to secure your sponsorship, email Mark Hanson (markhanson@austinasianchamber.org) or buy your sponsorship level on the Eventbrite Page.

Event Details

WHAT: DECA Small Business Opportunity Summit

WHEN: Thursday, August 6, 2025 | 9:30 am - 2:00 pm

WHERE: City of Austin Permitting and Development Center